100 Years Ago: Christmas School Holidays as Usual, Carl Kiser Receives Military Medal and Croix de Guerre, Called by Death: Harry Allen Shane, Salvation Army Drive to Start

The Intelligencer November 28, 1918 (page 1)

“Christmas School Holidays as Usual. Toronto. After due consideration of the suggestion advanced by several of the local school boards of Ontario that the Christmas holidays be either dispensed with this year or materially shortened to compensate for study time lost last winter and through the visitation of the Province by influenza during September and October, the Provincial Educational authorities have discarded the proposal as impractical and unwise.

The children having been in no remotest way responsible for the loss of time involved, and the Christmas holidays being an institution to which children should not be unnecessarily deprived, and having in view also the desirability of conserving the 1918-19 coal supply insofar as possible, it is held that the Christmas vacation should not be interfered with.

Provincially the Education office hopes to make up for time lost through the influenza by a readjustment of midsummer examination dates, the decision reached being expected to partially, at least, equalize the handicap imposed upon both the teachers and the scholars by school closings during the prevalence of the epidemic.”

The Intelligencer November 28, 1918 (page 7)

“Military Medal and Croix de Guerre. ‘I have received the Military Medal and Croix de Guerre. I expect to be in England in a few weeks to take out a commission as artillery officer,’ says an extract from a letter written by Sergt. Carl Kiser in France. Sergt. Kiser went overseas with the 34th Battery and his many friends in Belleville will be pleased to learn of the honors which he has won on the field of battle.”

The Intelligencer November 28, 1918 (page 7)

“Called by Death: Harry Allen Shane. At the family residence Donald Street College Hill Harry Allen Shane aged 12 years and 2 months, died yesterday afternoon from pneumonia following the flu. Deceased was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Shane and was born in this city, where he resided all his life. Harry was an exceptionally bright boy and a general favorite with his companions. He was a member of Bridge Street Church Sunday School. In addition to the parents, three brothers, William, James and Frank, two sisters, Elizabeth and Annie, survive. To the bereaved will be extended the heartfelt sympathy of their many friends.”

The Intelligencer November 28, 1918 (page 7)

“Salvation Army to Start Drive Now For Million Dollars. With the closing of the Victory Loan drive the headquarters for Eastern Ontario and the Province of Quebec of the ‘Salvation Army Red Shield’ drive for $1,000,000, 24 Canada Life Buildings, Quebec, have become a beehive of activity. …

In working up the drive forces in the various cities and counties in this region field representatives are now on work and many organizations like the Rotarians, the Kiwanis Club, Canadian Club, G. W. V. A. and in many cases the Victory Loan forces and others are assuming the responsibility and will put over the Red Shield drive for the Salvation Army.

The Canadian Government during the period of the war, put soldier welfare work into the hands of the Y’s, K. of C., the Salvation Army and kindred organizations, and how well the work was done by these is shown in the great victory which has come to the allied armies. All the organizations which have assisted in this work have had drives but the Salvation Army. They have done their work by self-denial among their own members and by a few tag days in some places but these have not brought in much money. If their programme of welfare work is to be carried on they will need this million dollars.

Welfare work among the Canadian soldiers and sailors is not completed because the fighting is stopped. If this work should end the demobilization would become demoralization and the fact stares us in the face that now the best effort has yet to be put forth, not so much to keep up the morale as to preserve the morality. …

The Salvation Army Red Shield drive campaign will open January the 19th, 1919, the objective for the Dominion will be $1,000,000 and every cent will go towards the welfare of Canada’s fighting men in the demobilization of Canada’s army in the next two years, in the care for soldiers’ widows and orphans, in establishing huts and hostels, where the need still remains, especially in Siberia and many other places.”